Flu Facts: Are you contagious?

Nov 12, 2009
From staff reports

Editor's Note: This is the final article in the Flu Facts series of weekly tips and information designed to keep you healthy this flu season. Watch for a new series highlighting university resources that can help you develop and maintain healthy living habits at OHIO beginning winter quarter.

People infected with seasonal and H1N1 flu shed the virus and may be able to infect others from one day before getting sick to five to seven days after. This can be longer in some people, especially children and people with weakened immune systems and in people infected with the new H1N1 virus.

What if I get sick?

If you live in areas where people have been identified with H1N1 flu and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people. The CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)

Stay away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick. Staying at home means that you should not leave your home except to seek medical care. This means avoiding normal activities, including work, school, travel, shopping, social events and public gatherings.